Tip #138

Fort Collins Utilities is an equal opportunity residential and commercial utility service provider. We do not discriminate in the terms, conditions or provision of services based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.

Water Catchers Award

The annual Fort Collins Utilities Water Catchers Award Program recognizes the efforts of our community to conserve water.

Water Catchers are residential or business customers who have taken action to reduce their water use. Examples include the replacement of high water-using toilets, re-landscaping with Xeriscape, upgrading a sprinkler system, repairing leaks and more.

Participants may self-nominate or be nominated by someone else. Nominations will be accepted throughout the summer and winners will be presented an award and publicly recognized for their success.

Residential award categories include individual, family or youth.

Business awards are available for small, medium and large size companies.

Recognition for award winners from each category will take place at the Sustainable Living Fair.

Business AwardColorado State University
Colorado State University (CSU) has retrofitted all the toilets and urinals in Rockwell Hall and retrofitted several autoclaves in the IDRC complex on Foothills campus. In addition, the State Forest Service switched from treated water to raw water for some of their irrigation. These projects have an estimated monthly water savings of 3.5 million gallons. Carol Dollard and Stacey Baumgarn have led these efforts.

Residential AwardKaty Bigner
Katy took advantage of the City's Xeriscape Design Assistance Program and installation rebates. She re-landscaped part of her front yard with new plants and mulch and replaced turf in the side yard with a vegetable garden. Katy estimates the water savings is 4,800 gallons a month. Katy says, "The savings on the water bill is great, but even more we appreciate the enhanced beauty and healthy vegetables."

Residential Family AwardDoug and Lois Vander Wilt
Doug and Lois replaced their conventional garden with wicking garden beds. A wicking bed is a raised garden bed with a water reservoir underneath. Water wicks up through the soil to the roots by capillary action. This technique saves water by reducing evaporation and eliminating overwatering. By using this watering method, they save about 650 gallons per month.

Business AwardMountain Crest Behavioral Healthcare Center
Water restrictions in early spring led the facility manager of Mountain Crest to rethink its irrigation system. By starting the watering season later and updating to more efficient sprinkler equipment, Mountain Crest was able to save over 650,000 gallons a month, saving 60% over last summer.

Small Business AwardBrendle Group
The Brendle Group has set a goal of achieving net zero water use in its downtown Fort Collins building by 2020. They expect to reduce water use by 40,000 gallons annually through various efficiency measures. If Brendle Group achieves net zero water status, they could see a reduction of 70,000 gallons annually. Net zero water is a new and innovative concept being piloted at Brendle Group with the support of the Colorado Water Innovation Cluster.

Residential AwardJoel Shippy
Joel installed efficient showerheads and aerators throughout his house. He also maintains pipes by checking for leaks and fixing them immediately. Based on these behavioral changes in his single-family home, Joe saved approximately 1,000 gallons a month.